14 Oct 2019

The leader of  Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF), Mr Biggie Butale says if voted into power, his party will review the constitution and allow for the direct election of the president outside cabinet and Parliament.

Giving a summary of the party’s manifesto during the launch of BPF parliamentary candidate for Serowe West, Mr Tshekedi Khama on Saturday, Mr Butale said the current constitution excluded Batswana in voting directly for their own president.

Mr Butale said his party would also reform the civil service as well as introduce a president’s advisory council for the youth, women, people living with disabilities and the general workforce that would meet quarterly.

He also stated that BPF would work with other political organisations and civil societies to deliver a new Botswana, saying good governance coupled with respect for human rights was also high on its agenda.

The BPF president said his party would priorities the fight against corruption without discrimination.

Mr Butale further stated that the party would review legislation that created certain state agencies such as the Directorate of Intelligence Security Service (DIS), Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) and Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS) and make them report directly to Parliament.

On the economy and infrastructure, development and job creation, Mr Butale stated that BPF would manage resources prudently for the benefit of Batswana to ensure their full participation in the diversification and beneficiation of all mineral and natural resources.

He also said BPF was a party that cared for the elderly and explained that the party would increase the old age pension allowance and further reduce old age pension for elders from 65 to 60 years.

Under agriculture, he said BPF would promote self-sufficiency in the production of basic food commodities and modernise and commercialise the sector to ensure full production and efficient use of land in Botswana.

For his part, Mr Khama called upon Serowe West constituents to vote for him on October 23 to continue where he had left.

He also promised to work hard and make developments visible in the constituency. He said BPF would change the current government which he described as dictatorial.

“The reason why we have to cooperate with each other is to make sure the BDP loses power. If we do not cooperate then BDP would remain in power,” he said.

The patron of BPF Lt Gen. Dr Ian Khama said they were forced to field candidates in some constituencies, adding that the leadership of parties would continue to work together.

Dr Khama stated that both BPF and UDC aimed to unseat BDP in this year’s general elections.

“We, however, feel the momentum with BPF. While we may not win all constituencies, we are certainly sure we are going to make a dent in the electoral space,’’ he said.

Dr Khama said during his tenure he introduced various programmes which assisted Batswana even though some had been cancelled. ENDs